Drugs Seized In Berlin

BERLIN — The ongoing heroin and marijuana distribution investigation in Worcester County netted another significant arrest last week after a search and seizure warrant was executed at a Berlin residence.

Throughout late last year and the month of January, allied law enforcement agencies have been conducting on ongoing investigation into drug distribution in Worcester County with several large busts made in recent weeks. The latest occurred last Wednesday when members of the Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on West Street in Berlin.

The Berlin Police Department’s SWAT team made entry to the residence and arrested Joseph Tyler Shanahan, 25, without incident. A search of the residence revealed 987 grams of marijuana, 99 individually wrapped bags of heroin and $1,510 in currency. Shanahan was charged with possession of marijuana and heroin, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and heroin, possession with intent to distribute in a school zone and possession of paraphernalia.

Shanahan was committed to the Worcester County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The Worcester County Criminal Enforcement Team was assisted in the arrest by the Ocean City Police narcotics unit, the Berlin Police SWAT and K-9 teams, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office patrol division, the Worcester County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Maryland State Police.

Pot Found After Traffic Stop

BERLIN — Two New York City residents were arrested on marijuana distribution charges last weekend after a significant amount of weed was found in their vehicle following a routine traffic stop.

Shortly before 1 p.m. last Friday, a Maryland State Police trooper on stationary radar patrol in the area of Routes 113 and 575 near Berlin stopped a white box truck for speeding. Upon making contact with the occupants, the trooper detected an overwhelming odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

A probable cause search was conducted on the vehicle and its occupants including the driver, identified as William Thomas, 53, of New York, and the passenger, identified as Susan Liebowitz, 49, also of New York. The search revealed over 430 grams of marijuana, smoking devices and a digital scale with marijuana residue on it. Thomas and Liebowitz were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

2nd-Degree Murder Conviction

SALISBURY — A Wicomico County jury last week convicted a Salisbury woman of attempted second-degree murder and other charges stemming from an incident on New Year’s Eve 2011 during which she slashed the throat of another woman during an investigation.

Last Thursday, Angela Bryant, 37, of Salisbury was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder by a Wicomico jury. The charges against Bryant arose out of an altercation on December 31, 2011 during which Bryant brutally slashed another woman’s throat down to the trachea. The victim was lucky to survive the attempt on her life after emergency surgery to close her throat at PRMC, according to the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney Matt Maciarello commended the Salisbury Police Department for their teamwork in the investigation and also thanked the county citizens who served on the jury and Safe Streets prosecutor Richard Brueckner, Jr., who prosecuted the case against Bryant.

Three Arrested For Weed

BERLIN — Three suspects from Virginia were arrested on marijuana distribution charges last week after a traffic stop in Berlin.

Around 5 p.m. last Saturday, a Berlin Police officer on routine patrol stopped a vehicle at Route 113 and Old Ocean City Blvd. Upon making contact with the occupants, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the passenger compartment. A subsequent search turned up two separate devices containing marijuana.

Bao Minh On, 18, William Weigel, 19, and a juvenile, all from Virginia Beach, were placed under arrest. On was charged with possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Weigel and the juvenile were each charged with possession of marijuana.

Cab Driver Shot

SALISBURY — A Salisbury cab driver was shot this week after pursuing three individuals who allegedly robbed him during a fare.

On Tuesday night, a Bailey’s Taxi driver picked up three individuals and delivered them to their requested destination in the area of Patrick Ave. and Keen Ave. The three suspects then stole the cab driver’s cell phone, iPad and cash. The suspect’s fled on foot, but the cab driver pursued him in his vehicle.

One of the suspects then fired several shots at the taxi, striking the vehicle twice. One of the bullets pierced the vehicle’s door and struck the cabbie in the leg with a glancing blow. The cab driver was treated at PRMC and released. The suspects remained at large as of mid-week.

Unruly Bar Patron Arrested

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man was arrested on assault and indecent exposure charges last weekend after allegedly dropping his drawers and fighting with security at an establishment.

Around 1:20 a.m. last Sunday, Salisbury Police responded to the Market Street Inn in reference to an intoxicated and disorderly suspect. The investigation revealed the suspect, later identified as Duane Albert White, 36, of Salisbury, was in the bar area of the establishment and had allegedly pulled down his pants and exposed himself to other customers.

White allegedly then made contact with another customer and made sexual gestures with his body, according to police reports. White then refused to leave the establishment and allegedly assaulted a bouncer while being escorted out of the business. While leaving the area, White allegedly kicked a sign, causing it to break. White was charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree sex offense, indecent exposure, malicious destruction of property, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

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